Tracking the Candidates

Mariota put the finishing touches on his Heisman résumé with five total touchdowns in Oregon's win over Arizona in the Pac-12 title game. His final stat line: 25-for-38, 313 yards and two TDs through the air, plus 33 rushing yards and three more scores on 10 rushing attempts.

Gordon, like his Wisconsin teammates, was largely anonymous against Ohio State in the Big Ten championship game. Gordon rushed for 76 yards, but the Badgers never challenged the Buckeyes in a crushing loss.

Boykin filled up the box score against Iowa State. He went 30-for-41 for 460 yards and four touchdowns passing, added 44 yards running the ball, and he even scored a 55-yard receiving touchdown on a nifty trick play.

Barrett is out for the season after he fractured his ankle in the Buckeyes' win over Michigan. He finished the season with 2,834 passing yards, 34 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, and he had another 11 rushing TDs and 938 yards.